Three Days of Learning
After this Workshop, you’ll have the confidence you need to start your own craft distillery.
Hands-on Instruction & Make Your Own Spirits
Attendees will learn on-site in an operating distillery with our instructors for hands-on education you won’t find anywhere else. Students will operate commercial equipment and distill, blend and bottle their own batch of spirits to take home!
FREE Lifetime Access to Courses & Content
Attendees will also receive a free Lifetime Access membership to DistilleryUniversity.com, meaning you’ll be able to watch all current footage and all future recordings from anywhere, anytime!
Expert Instructors
Our Workshops are taught by real-world experts, ensuring you get the most valuable and actionable knowledge available.
Meet Our Director of Education
Todd Buckley
Director of Education
Todd Buckley brings a unique blend of tech-savvy expertise and hands-on distilling prowess to the craft spirits world. After successful stints at tech giants Intel and Microsoft, Todd turned his passion for innovation toward the art of distillation—swapping silicon chips for copper stills. He founded Destiny Spirits, where he honed his signature techniques before moving on to the Bellewood Distillery and developed award-winning products, including the highly acclaimed gin that outscored iconic brands like Beefeater, Tanqueray, and Bombay Sapphire with a 94 from the Beverage Tasting Institute.
A seasoned lecturer and industry consultant, Todd has facilitated dozens of Distillery University Workshops, guiding spirits enthusiasts through everything from equipment setup to nuanced flavor development. His extensive experience extends well beyond the classroom: Todd has served as a judge for numerous spirits competitions, providing him unique insight into current market trends and consumer preferences. He has also traveled the globe to explore celebrated spirits conventions and far-flung distilleries, continuously refining his expertise and bringing valuable global perspectives back to his students.
With a deep understanding of both the technical and creative sides of distilling, Todd is dedicated to helping aspiring distillers elevate their craft and realize their vision. His Workshops blend real-world practice, insider techniques, and inspiring anecdotes from his international adventures—making him an invaluable mentor to anyone looking to break into the spirits industry or simply perfect their craft.
What To Expect
Your Exclusive Pass to the Ultimate Distilling Workshop
Are you tired of browsing countless distilling tutorials online only to be left with more questions than answers? Have you ever dreamt of crafting your own signature blend of spirits? If so, then read on. We’ve crafted an experience that goes beyond mere theory, delivering you straight into the hands-on world of distillation.
What You Get: An All-Access Pass
- Reserved Spot for All 3 Days: This is an immersive weekend event, and your seat is waiting for you.
- Lifetime Access Membership: Not only do you get face-to-face time with experts, but you also get lifetime access to DistilleryUniversity.com, a $499 value at no extra cost.
- Supplementary Toolkit: Receive PowerPoint presentations, a business plan template, fundraising slide deck, and more, giving you a holistic educational package.
- Exclusive Invitations: Join us for After-Hours Events throughout the weekend, a priceless networking opportunity.
Your Professors: Industry Titans
- Todd Buckley: Covers everything from the history of American distilling to the nuances of alcohol biology and chemistry. Todd is the lead facilitator for all DU Workshops so he’ll be your guide every step of the way.
- Darin Kyle & Randy Kyle (Vancouver class only): Owners of Quartz Mountain Distillers, they’ll be walking you through the practicalities of operating high-grade distilling equipment, as well as showing you the ins and outs of running a craft distillery on a daily basis.
Hands-On Experience
- Real Equipment, Real Spirits: For the first time, you’re in control. Manage a professional-grade still and distill your own spirits.
- Your Own Masterpiece: Distill a unique spirit under expert guidance and bring home a bottle of the final product—a tangible keepsake of your hands-on experience.
- End-to-End Mastery: From mashing and fermentation to bottling, labeling, and blending, this Workshop leaves no stone unturned.
Why This Workshop Is Unlike Any Other
You’re not just learning; you’re doing. This is as real as it gets. Whether you’re a beginner looking for a comprehensive distilling overview or an advanced distiller aiming to refine your craft, this Workshop is your stepping stone to distilling success.
Time is of the Essence
Spots are limited and filling up rapidly. Join us for this immersive hands-on Workshop, where you’ll learn valuable distilling techniques and create enduring memories along the way.
Hands-on Workshops Curriculum
Led by Industry Expert Todd Buckley
Welcome to the Beverage Alcohol Industry
- History of Distilling in America: Discover the fascinating past of distilling in the U.S.
- Regulation Highlights: Learn the essential regulations for distilling in the U.S.
- The Competitive Landscape: Understand the current spirits market in the U.S.
Introduction to Fermentation
- Fermentation Basics: Explore how grains, fruits, and yeast come together to create alcohol.
- Yeast Varieties: Learn about different yeast strains and their effects on flavor.
Introduction to Alcohol Chemistry
- Alcohol Types: Understand the differences between ethanol, methanol, and isopropanol.
- Acids and Esters: Learn about organic acids and esters and their roles in distillation.
- Filtration: Discover the importance of filtration in producing clean spirits.
Vodka Distillation
- Using a Hydrometer: Master the proper use of this essential tool.
- Substrate Choices: Learn about different bases for vodka production.
- Achieving High Proof: Techniques to reach 190 proof.
- Filtration and Proofing: Ensure your vodka is pure and correctly proofed.
- Bottling: Get a thorough understanding of bottling vodka.
Brandy Distillation
- Fruit Choices: Discover the best fruits for brandy production.
- Achieving High Proof: Techniques to reach 160 proof.
- Filtration and Proofing: Ensure your brandy is pure and correctly proofed.
- Bottling: Learn the bottling process for brandy.
Gin Production
- Botanical Choices: Explore various botanicals for gin.
- Extraction Methods: Learn maceration, decoction, and infusion techniques.
- Filtration and Proofing: Ensure your gin is pure and correctly proofed.
- Bottling: Learn the intricacies of bottling gin.
Whiskey Distillation and Aging
- Substrate Choices: Learn about different bases for whiskey production.
- Fermentation and Distillation: Master these critical processes.
- Aging: Understand the importance of aging in whiskey production.
- Filtration and Proofing: Ensure your whiskey is pure and correctly proofed.
- Bottling: Get hands-on experience in bottling your whiskey.
Introduction to Distillation Physics
- Heating, Reflux, and Condensation: Learn the science behind distillation.
- Still Design: Understand the design and function of different stills.
- Measuring Techniques: Master the use of weight, volume, and temperature in distillation.
The hands-on instruction takes place at a fully-equipped, operating and award-winning distillery. Expert distillers and instructors will guide you through operating the equipment, preparing a mash for fermentation, and understanding the key considerations in creating a perfect batch of spirits. The instructional team will be on hand to answer any and all questions you might have about any aspect of running a distillery.
No other Workshop allows you to actually get up close and personal with professional-grade stills and produce your own batch of spirits under the supervision of award-winning instruction staff.
If you’re looking to get ACTUAL hands-on experience, this is the Workshop for you. We’ll have a fermented mash already prepared, so you can focus entirely on perfecting spirits production.
After completing the spirits run, you’ll learn how to blend with distilled water to achieve the desired strength and flavor profile. From there, you’ll see how the finishing touches are put on every bottle – from labels to closures to final packaging!
Students will cover a range of essential topics to provide a comprehensive understanding of the distillation process. First, we will delve into mashing, where you’ll learn about selecting the appropriate grains and managing the necessary temperatures to ensure optimal results.
Next, we will explore fermentation, discussing how to choose the right base product and yeast, as well as the best vessels for the process.
During the distillation section, you will learn the art of making cuts, selecting the correct temperatures, and understanding equipment design and performance.
Lastly, we will focus on still performance, ensuring you have a thorough grasp of the distillation equipment and its capabilities.
Day 1 and Day 2: We’ll all meet at the classroom at the distillery at 9am. These days will consist of classroom learning with a lunch at around noon. You’ll also have access to the distillery to see the equipment, layout, etc. Class will conclude at around 4-5pm (depending on the number of questions).
After class, we’re holding a Tasting & Sensory Evaluation right in the distillery or at a nearby restaurant. For a small fee we’ll all be served numerous “short shots” of various spirits and we’ll attempt to sort out the different flavor profiles and distilleries of each. Our lead facilitator Todd Buckley will be on hand to help us determine the different notes and aromas we can experience. This event is one of the highlights of all our Workshops, so feel free to bring your spouse or companion.
Day 3: Today is the most hands-on portion of the Workshop, so please wear comfortable clothing and closed-toed shoes. We’ll be getting started at 9am. Our instructors will be giving us an in-depth tour of the distillery, as well as taking us through their process of making unique and distinct spirits. Everyone will be able to operate the equipment and take home a bottle of spirits.
We’ll close class between 3pm and 5pm, depending on what’s going on in the distillery and how many questions people have.
Please note all class times are local to the class.
Need more convincing? Here are Seven Reasons why registering with Distillery University is the best thing you can do for your distilling education.
Tuition
- Quartz Mountain Distillers – Vancouver, WA Workshop dates: September 12-14, 2025
- Reserved spot for all 3 days
- Includes a free Lifetime Access membership to DistilleryUniversity.com online courses (including all footage from this Workshop – $499 value!)
- Includes supplemental materials like PowerPoint presentations, prepared business plan, fundraising slide deck and more
- Includes invitations to any After-Hours Events throughout the weekend
- Early Registration discount until 30 days before start of each class
Early Registration Discount
Register at least 30 days before the Workshop to lock in the early registration price of $1999. After that date, the price increases to $2399.
Questions?
Just call (509) 999-1244 or email info@distilleryuniversity.com. We’ll be happy to provide you with any information you need.
Bringing a friend?
Email us at info@distilleryuniversity.com to receive 20% off a second seat at our Workshop!
Need to Make Payments?
We have partnered with the PayPal “Pay Later” service in order to provide you with payment flexibility. Just select PayPal during the checkout process, or contact us directly to discuss your options.
We understand that sometimes things come up unexpectedly, and we will work with you in the event of a cancellation.
All registrations cancelled at least 60 days before a Workshop will be refunded in full. Cancellations after that date will be refunded 50%. Unfortunately, we cannot accept cancellations less than 30 days before a Workshop. While we can’t offer refunds, we are happy to hold a seat for you at a future Workshop at no additional cost.
Thank you for your understanding.
Vancouver, Washington serves up a taste of the Pacific Northwest with its inviting restaurants, eclectic shopping, and vibrant arts scene. Stroll through the revitalized downtown to discover farm-to-table cuisine and fresh local fare. For those seeking even more spirits-focused adventures, Portland, Oregon—just across the river—boasts over 20 craft distilleries waiting to be explored. Whether you stay in Vancouver or venture into Portland, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to savor the region’s unique flavors and culture. Click here to visit the Vancouver tourism website.
Proudly display your dedication to your distilling education with an official certificate of membership from Distillery University. At the conclusion of the Workshop, every attendee receives a certificate to put on the wall of their future distillery.
